Apr. 13, 2012 - 11:11AM
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Last Updated: Apr. 13, 2012 - 11:11AM |

An artist's rendering of a Virginia-class submarine underway. (Navy)

The Navy announced the names of the five latest Virginia-class attack submarines, all named for states, according to a Navy news release issued Friday. Two of the selections carry forward names of World War II battleships distinguished in combat.

The names are:

• Illinois for SSN 786. The second ship to bear the name of the state where every enlisted sailor attends boot camp upon joining the service.

• Washington for SSN 787. Third ship to have that name, which honors the Navy bases around Puget Sound, the third-largest fleet concentration area, the press release said.

• Colorado for SSN 788. Third ship to bear that name. Second ship was a battleship that took part in the Tarawa invasion.

• Indiana for SSN 789. Third ship with that name and named for state where the Naval Surface Warfare Center is based.

• South Dakota for SSN 790. Third ship with that name. Second ship was a battleship that "fought extensively in the Pacific theater during World War II," the release said.

These five submarines will be built in Newport News, Va., by Huntington Ingalls Industries in partnership with General Dynamics' Electric Boat Corp.

"Each of these five states serves as home to military bases that support our national defense and provides men and women who volunteer to serve their country," Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said in the statement. "I look forward to these submarines joining the fleet and representing these great states around the world."